Dr. James Allen Guess is board certified by orthopedic surgeon specializing in Adult and Pediatric Spinal Surgery. In addition to general orthopedic surgery, the doctor performs Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery for treating back pain and spinal disorders.

Back Pain

Many of today lead sedentary lifestyles and spend hours at the workplace because of the demanding nature of jobs. Likewise, many athletes and sportspersons are involved in rigorous physical activity on a daily basis. In addition, many people also go in for workouts and exercises regularly. This has made back pain a very common condition these days. Read on to know more about the causes, symptoms, and diagnosis and treatment of the same.

The human back is a complex structure of nerves, muscles, tendons, joints, discs, and many soft tissues. A problem with any of these can become a source of back pain.

Among the most common causes of back pain are: disc degeneration, osteoarthritis, compression fractures.

Muscle strains and stress because of lifting something heavy or a sudden injury can also result in chronic back pain.

Symptoms of back pain:

Soreness or swelling in the back

Inflammation of the affected area

Difficulty in moving, walking, and sitting

Severe pain that can radiate down to the thighs and legs

Muscle spasms

Burning or tingling sensations in the back

Numbness in the back, legs, and feet

You can consult a spine specialist for diagnosis and treatment of back pain. Initially, the expert would require knowing if the back pain is a source of complete immobility or not. For this, certain tests are done to determine the range of motion and nerve function. Treatment cannot begin unless the exact location and reason of discomfort is known.

Diagnostic tests for back pain:

Blood and urine tests might be conducted to know if the back pain is a result of some infection within the body.

X-rays can be used to identify the exact location of damage when it comes to skeletal problems. Compression fractures can be easily diagnosed with an X-ray.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or MRI as it is popularly known, can be used for diagnosis of disc problems.

At times, a back injury physician might also use an Electromyogram for diagnosis of back pain.

Treatment for back pain:

Once the diagnosis has been done, your spine specialist will proceed to the treatment part. Ice packs or heat application can be effective in treating back pain. Certain anti-inflammatory drugs may also be prescribed so as to lessen the severity of pain. At times, doctor may recommed you modification in your daily activities so that the causes of back pain can be eliminated. Painkillers can also help. In addition, you might also be recommended a set of exercises so as to strengthen the back muscles.

In certain cases, the above specified methods of treatment may not be enough to heal the condition. For this, the medical experts recommend going in for a minimally invasive spine surgery. These surgeries are an effective way to eliminate disc problems and muscle damage to the back.

Back pain can be a cause of serious concern as it hinders the person’s ability to carry out daily tasks effectively. Going in for diagnosis and treatment at the right time is thus very important.

To know more about back pain and its treatments options in Carrollton TX, schedule an appointment with the spine surgeon - Dr. James Allen Guess. For more information, call at (972) 492 - 1334.